"Calming"
 (Shizumeru)

Used in the Scriptures in reference to states of mind, this verb could be construed as having three meanings, which are interrelated: (1) focusing the mind on God's talk or the teachings, (2) calming the mind, and (3) settling the mind. The Ofudesaki seems to use it mainly in the first two senses. The Ofudesaki, in which the verb "calm" occurs ten times, uses it in conjunction with another verb; that is, it refers to a frame of mind in which to do something indicated by the other verb. Six instances of this term involve one of the following verbs: "ponder," "listen," or "become convinced." This fact can be seen as indicating that God's teachings are so important that they should not be listened to carelessly but need full and focused attention, which can only come from a thoroughly calm mind. We read, for example:

This time, I shall begin to tell you something marvelous. Calm your minds and please listen.

All of you, please calm your minds and become truly convinced of this talk.

Ofudesaki VI:1, 3

The "talk" that follows these verses presents the Story of Creation, which the verses say is of such great importance that it requires undivided attention. The verses are prefacing the story with a cautionary note that it will not be understood unless the mind is completely calmed.

The Mikagura-uta, in which the following verse is the only place where the term under consideration appears [translated "be at ease"], uses it especially in the second sense and teaches humans to rely completely on God and calm the mind. Whatever others may say;

God is watching, so be at ease [shizume]!

Mikagura-uta IV:1

The Divine Directions seem to use the term mainly in the second and the third sense, and often those meanings occur side by side. Examples follow:

Settle the mind completely, settle it, settle it. Calm the mind completely, calm it, calm it. Once it is completely settled, then there is completeness. Once it is so calmed, there is completeness, I say.

Osashizu, July 25, 1889

Sah, sah, sah, sah, settle the mind, settle it. Calm it and settle it. Calm it and listen.

Osashizu, February 4, 1889

Related to this term in the context of the Divine Directions is the verb "quiet," which, as indicated in the following passage, addresses quieting the mind in conjunction with settling the mind:

To quiet the mind is the path of God. . . . Sah, sah, settle it. Quiet it.

Osashizu, July 7, 1893

(This article was first published in the December 2009 issue of TENRIKYO.)